Creating brighter futures

Hi, I’m Nick, and I am a Maintenance Controller in the Operational Engineering Department at The Bristol Port Company.

I joined The Bristol Port Company in 2015 as a mechanical engineer. I was employed primarily as a crane engineer but also maintained and repaired other kit such as conveyors, blenders and roller/hammer mills. After years of working as a production engineer on FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) production lines this was my first foray into heavy engineering, but I relished the new challenge.

After approximately 5 years as an engineer, I applied for the role of Maintenance Controller and was successful! I have now been in this role for over five years. My responsibilities now include managing a team of engineers, planning maintenance, sourcing spares, liaising with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) suppliers, issuing permits-to-work and writing risk assessments and method statements.

This was my first experience as a manager, so the head of Operational Engineering (my boss) told me about the ILM Leadership and Management apprenticeship, then encouraged me to do it, as he felt it would be beneficial to me in my new role as a manager.

The apprenticeship has helped me in the workplace significantly. I am now better equipped to deal with all the trials and tribulations that are thrown at you as a manager. During my apprenticeship I learnt many new methods and was given proven models to use in my everyday life at work. These help me manage people, my time and my tasks more efficiently and enable me to be more emotionally intelligent when dealing with personnel issues.

An example of a standout moments from your apprenticeship was the outward-bound course in the Lake District. It was fun and challenging at the same time. Also, spending time with employees from other departments of the company really improved our working relationships. I was able to learn about effective leadership in a hands-on environment.

Weston College provided robust support throughout the apprenticeship. Before starting, they guided me through the enrolment process and outlined what to expect. During the program, I had access to a dedicated mentor, regular check-ins, and resources tailored to my role. After completing the apprenticeship, they continued to offer workshops and networking opportunities to ensure I stayed updated with best practices.

After my apprenticeship, transitioning fully into my Maintenance Controller role felt seamless. The knowledge and skills I had gained during the programme gave me confidence in managing my team, planning maintenance tasks, and handling supplier negotiations. I felt more prepared to take ownership of my responsibilities and lead effectively.

My time at Bristol Port has brought unexpected opportunities, such as being invited to participate in high-level strategic planning sessions. Additionally, I’ve had the chance to mentor newer engineers and apprentices.

Working at Bristol Port comes with several benefits, including job stability, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive work culture. The company also provides competitive pay, training programmes, and access to resources that help in both personal and professional development.

My future aspirations are to continue learning, and to shadow the Head of Operational Engineering to enable me to effectively stand in for him in his absence. I also hope to play a more significant role in shaping long-term maintenance strategies and mentoring young engineers and apprentices at Bristol Port.

I would highly recommend doing a leadership apprenticeship! The apprenticeship not only equips you with practical skills but also builds your confidence and emotional intelligence as a manager. It’s a worthwhile investment in your career and offers tools that can be applied immediately to improve your professional performance.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Last month in November, our staff and students came together in a powerful display of solidarity for Movember, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental health and prostate cancer. Building on the success of last year’s initiative, our vice principals and student engagement team organised a series of activities aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being. 

“Move for Movember” Challenge: Aiming for 96,000 Minutes of Exercise 

As part of the Movember initiative, we launched the "Move for Movember" challenge, encouraging staff to accumulate as many minutes of exercise as possible throughout the month of November. In recognition of the 60 men lost to suicide every hour globally, the challenge aimed to reach a target of 96,000 minutes—160% of last year’s total of 60,000 minutes. Last year, staff members collectively exceeded expectations with 69,610 minutes of exercise recorded across more than 1,000 entries, and this year’s goal was to take that achievement even further. 

Two of Weston College’s Vice Principals committed to exercising for 60 minutes daily throughout the month, as a show of dedication to the cause. In total, staff participated in a variety of activities, ranging from high-intensity workouts to low-impact exercises, such as leisurely dog walks, chair aerobics, and swimming. As part of the challenge, participants were also encouraged to join in at their own pace and find exercise that worked for them, reinforcing the connection between physical activity and mental well-being. 

Men’s Talk Club: Offering Safe Spaces for Discussion 

In addition to the physical activity challenge, we introduced Men’s Talk Club taster sessions at its three campuses to further engage students in conversations about mental health. These sessions, facilitated by staff and a member of the External Men’s Talk Club charity, provided a safe, non-judgmental space for male students to discuss their emotions and experiences. The aim was to establish permanent Talk Clubs on campus, offering peer support and creating networks for students facing common stresses and worries. 

These initial sessions provided an introduction to the future Talk Clubs, giving students the opportunity to learn about the supportive networks being created and understand the importance of mental health awareness. 

Campus Challenges: Building Community Spirit 

We also introduced a fun and competitive element to Movember with a series of campus v campus rowing challenges. A rowing machine was placed in the reception area of each campus, with students encouraged to row as many metres as possible for their campus. The challenge sparked excitement and friendly competition among the students, with some pushing themselves to extraordinary distances. The event was a fantastic success, helping students to stay active while supporting a crucial cause. 

" A huge thank you to all the staff who participated in Move for Movember 2024 - we recorded a staggering 73,703 minutes of exercise across the month," said Ben Knocks, Vice Principal for Student Experience and Support. "This may not have been above our challenging target but is still 4,092 more minutes than we achieved in 2023. " 

We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part in Movember activities, from the "Move for Movember" challenge to the rowing competition and Men’s Talk Club taster sessions. The community spirit displayed this month has been exceptional, and we are grateful for everyone’s involvement in helping to raise awareness for men’s mental health.

The Hospitality and Catering students have had many amazing masterclasses recently that have helped to develop their skills but also improve their confidence to produce show-stopping dishes that are delicious and presented to a very high-quality. 

Recently, the learners’ skills were once again put to the test when the Royal Navy joined the learners for the day and held an exciting Ready, Steady, Cook workshop. This MasterChef-style workshop was around 2.5 hours long and allowed the learners to use their initiative and creativity their dishes. 

The students were split into teams of up to 5 people and given a box of ingredients with recipe sheets for two dishes – a main course and a dessert. The learners had to work together to produce and present their meals which improved their communication, teamwork and delegation skills to prepare them for a professional kitchen environment. 

Each group had 90 minutes to create their dishes for tasting, with some guidance from the Royal Navy chefs as they went along. The chefs were impressed with how well their creations turned out, as well as their professionalism and team working abilities. 

Once the workshop was complete, the Royal Navy members outlined the pathways and perks to joining the Royal Navy as a chef. They discussed the benefits and opportunities of working in the Navy, the application process, and the required training. 

To work in the Royal Navy, the learners also discovered that no matter the role, you are required to go through at least three phases of training and you require a secondary role. For the Navy chefs visiting, they were both fully trained fire fighters in case of emergencies, but it also allows them to take the qualification elsewhere. 

The learners were very engaged throughout the session, hearing all the fantastic opportunities that the Royal Navy has to offer, as well as being the epitome of professionalism during their Ready, Steady, Cook workshop.  

We are deeply grateful to the Royal Navy for their exceptional support and commitment as a Career Excellence Hub partner. Their dedication to fostering opportunities and inspiring excellence provides invaluable guidance and resources for our students, paving the way for future generations to achieve their aspirations and gain professional development within the Hospitality and Catering sector. 

If you are interested in joining one of our Hospitality and Catering courses next September, click here.